HELLOWEEN: HELLOWEEN

   Helloween, renowned pumpkin enthusiasts and founding fathers of the subgenre that we know and love to be Power Metal have returned with an indisputable future all time classic album and what may very well prove to be the finest release of their prestigious career. 

   Appropriately self-titled, Helloween is the first full-length release from a rekindled Helloween who now boasts a trio of jaw-dropping vocal talents provided by past and present frontmen. Fans new and old have warmly welcomed the return of legendary Metal icons Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen, who share vocal duties alongside resident powerhouse Andi Deris. The resulting harmony is a truly incredible one indeed. Coupled with crisp clean production quality which gives the album such an enormous presence, it is fair to say that Helloween have never sounded better. 

   Musically, the line up evolution has clearly re-energised Helloween as the entire album is loaded from pumpkin-head-to-toe with wonderfully memorable and expertly performed material. Remaining true to their established brand of traditional Heavy Metal and Power Metal, this delectable audio offering is the perfect equilibrium balancing just the right amount of technicality, driving speed, subtle melody and abrasive heaviness. Helloween is also an obvious progression for the band and shows no small amount of growth since 2015's previous full-length, the respectable and enjoyable My God-Given Right. Infact, Helloween sound like genuine masters of their craft, with an album that showcases all their finest attributes, their vast wealth of collective talent and shows just why it is that they are held in genre wide high esteem.

   Every track on this superb album is a finest moment and stand alone epic in its own right, but together these songs compose an album which is a majestic sprawling masterpiece. The anticipation and expectation is stoked to strotospheric heights by the chilling sounds and Slayer's "South Of Heaven"-esque guitar notes that comprise the intro to opening epic "Out For The Glory", a truly glorious statement of Power Metal grandeur, led by Michael Kiske's soaring vocals, pounding drums, winding guitar solos and made all the heavier by a triple guitar attack. 

   Andi Deris' powerful voice is accompanied by gentle guitar melody during the opening of "Fear Of The Fallen", before the Heavy Metal hammer is blunty and unmistakably brought down with a torrent of riffs, manic drums and mind blowingly vocal duets. Layered and ambient, "Best Time" is a wonderful mid paced melancholic Power Metal treat, with all vocalist contributing to beautiful harmonies in a heartfelt and emotive number. Bringing the speed back up to Power Metal standard, Andi leads "Mass Pollution", a rocking rager of a song with plenty of attitude and rhythm. Seriously crunchy riffs, pummelling drums and even background organ and orchestral contributions can all be witnessed on "Angels", before "Rise Without Chains" comforts and excites with its far more familiar traditional Helloween style and with no half measures of blinding guitar solos and crystal clear singing. 

   Striding in like a menacing Metal monster, "Indestructible" is every bit as heavy and hits just as hard, blowing eardrums and minds alike with a fist of solid guitar work and bruising percussion, not to mention the impeccable union of vocal forces. The shorter of Helloween's two lengthier epics, the sublime standout "Robot King" is a certainly one the albums heaviest and fastest outings; boasting an arsenal of galloping riffs, dual guitars and plenty of harmonies, progressive and technical flairs. Ripping riffs and electrifying power define the fist pumping, headbanging charger that is "Cyanide", a crushingly heavy short smack of Power Metal brilliance. 

   Eerie intros and keyboards help build the tension and an air of expectancy once again as "Down In The Dumps" is unleashed, a weighty and progressive track that hosts a medly of fantastic vocal performances, crushing riffs and furious barrage drumming. The crowning moment and definite album highlight, the 12 minute plus masterpiece that is  "Skyfall", is proceeded by the eerie electronic intro of "Orbit", before a myriad of astounding vocals and instrumentals create a spectacular storey and mind blowing musical performance. "Skyfall" is a bold and brave undertaking in itself; incorporating fast and slower paces, great progressive elements, monolithic soundscapes and background ambience alongside scores of refined premium grade riffing, heavy low bass tones and of course a tear inducing theatrical display of mesmerising singing. 

   Overall, Helloween is a genuinely stunning album. Not only is it a well written and produced album, but it is also start to finish musical genius. Anticipation and expectation was of course extremely high for this release considering the pedigree of the lineup that now forms the band. Helloween sets the bar very high indeed and the album delivers the goods and then some. This is a Power Metal masterclass not to be missed.

NO NONSENSE METAL RATING: 9.5/10

For fans of; IRON MAIDEN, GAMMA RAY, SONATA ARCTICA, STRATOVARIUS 

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